Radio Island Beach is a public access point on Bogue Sound with parking, a soundside pier, and shallow water that holds mullet, flounder, and spot year-round

Radio Island Beach sits just west of Morehead City proper, facing Bogue Sound instead of the open Atlantic. The beach itself is narrow and sandy, backed by a small parking area and a wooden pier that extends into the sound. This is a soundside fishery, not an ocean beach—the water is calmer, shallower, and holds different species than you'd find on the oceanside. Access is free and open to the public during daylight hours.

The pier is the main draw here. It's short but solid, and it puts you over water that averages 4 to 6 feet deep. Mullet are the bread-and-butter catch spring through fall, and they're easy to sight-fish if you bring a cast net or light tackle. Flounder move through in spring and fall, and spot (small croaker) are present most of the year. The sound water is also a nursery for juvenile redfish and black drum, though they're not the target here—you'll catch them incidentally while fishing for mullet or spot.

Key Takeaways

  • Radio Island Beach has free public parking and a soundside pier that requires no permit or fee to fish from.
  • The water is shallow and calm, making it good for sight-casting to mullet or fishing the bottom for flounder and spot.
  • Spring and fall are peak seasons for flounder; mullet are present spring through fall; spot are year-round.
  • Bring light tackle, a cast net if you have one, and plan to fish the pier or wade the shallows near the beach.

Parking and Facilities

The parking area at Radio Island Beach is small—roughly a dozen spaces—and it fills quickly on weekends and during good weather. There are no restrooms, no water fountain, and no shade structure. The lot is unpaved and can get soft after rain, so don't park at the far end if the ground looks wet.

The pier is the only structure beyond the parking area. It's about 100 feet long and wide enough for two people to fish side by side. There's no bait shop on-site, so bring what you need from Morehead City or stop at one of the tackle shops on Arendell Street before you head out. The beach itself is open for wading, though the bottom is soft mud in places and firmer sand in others.

What Fish to Target by Season

Spring (March through May) brings flounder into the sound as they move from deeper winter water toward the shallows to spawn. They're hungry and aggressive, and they'll hit small jigs, live shrimp, or mullet chunks. Mullet also begin showing in numbers as water warms. This is the best time to sight-cast to mullet schools if you have a cast net or a light spinning rod with a small jig.

Summer (June through August) is slower for flounder but peak season for mullet. The water warms and mullet school heavily along the pier and in the shallows. Spot are present but scattered. Juvenile redfish and black drum are in the sound but small and not the target. Early morning and late evening are better than midday heat.

Fall (September through November) brings another flounder push as they move back to deeper water. Mullet are still present and feeding hard before they leave. This is the second-best season after spring for flounder. Water temperature drops and fish are more active throughout the day.

Winter (December through February) is quiet. Mullet are gone or sparse. Flounder have moved to deeper channels. Spot are the most reliable catch, and they're small. Most anglers skip this season unless they're targeting spot specifically or practicing casting technique.

Tackle and Bait That Works Here

Light spinning tackle is all you need—a 6-foot rod with 8- to 10-pound braid or mono and a small reel. For flounder, use 1/4- to 1/2-ounce jigs tipped with live shrimp or small mullet. For spot, use the same jigs or small bottom rigs with shrimp. For mullet, a cast net is ideal if you know how to throw one; otherwise, small jigs or topwater plugs work on feeding fish.

Live shrimp is the most versatile bait here. You can buy it at tackle shops in Morehead City, or you can catch your own with a cast net in the shallows near the beach. Mullet chunks work for flounder and drum. Cut mullet is easier to cast than live shrimp and holds on the hook better in current, though the sound has minimal current.

Tides and Timing

Bogue Sound is tidal, but the tide range is small—usually 2 to 3 feet. Incoming tide is generally better than outgoing because it pushes water and bait toward the pier. The best fishing window is usually two hours before high tide through one hour after. Early morning is productive year-round because light is low and fish are feeding.

Check the tide tables for Morehead City before you go. The NOAA tide station at Morehead City is the reference point for this area. Plan to fish the hour before sunrise if you want the quietest water and the most active fish. Weekday mornings are less crowded than weekends, and the pier is easier to fish when you're not sharing it with a dozen other people.

How to Get There and Where to Park

From downtown Morehead City, head west on Arendell Street toward the waterfront. Radio Island Beach is signed and sits just before you reach the main port area. Turn into the parking lot on your left. The address is roughly 4500 Arendell Street, though GPS can be unreliable in this area—look for the pier and the small sandy beach.

If the lot is full, there is no overflow parking. You'll need to come back later or park in downtown Morehead City and walk, which is about a half-mile. The beach is accessible year-round during daylight, but there are no lights, so plan to leave before dark.

What to Bring and What to Expect

Bring sunscreen, water, and a hat—there's no shade on the pier. Bring your own tackle and bait; there's nothing for sale here. A small cooler for keeping bait fresh is useful. If you're wading, wear shoes with good grip because the bottom is slippery in places. Bring a headlamp if you're fishing early morning or late evening.

Expect to share the pier with other anglers on weekends and nice days. The water is calm and clear enough to sight-fish, which is part of the appeal. You won't catch large fish here—flounder run 12 to 18 inches, mullet are 8 to 14 inches, and spot are 6 to 10 inches. This is a place to practice casting, learn to sight-fish, or spend a quiet morning without the noise and crowd of the oceanside piers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fishing license to fish from Radio Island Beach?

Yes. North Carolina requires a saltwater fishing license for anyone 16 and older. You can buy a license online through the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries website, at most tackle shops in Morehead City, or at Walmart. A one-day license costs less than a full-year license if you're just visiting.

Can I keep mullet I catch here?

Yes, mullet are legal to keep. There's no size or bag limit for rod-and-reel caught mullet in North Carolina. If you want to use a cast net to catch mullet for bait, you'll need a separate cast net license, which is inexpensive and available online or at tackle shops.

Is the pier open year-round?

The pier is open during daylight hours year-round, but it's rarely crowded in winter. There are no posted hours, but fishing after dark is not recommended because there are no lights and the pier can be slippery when wet.

What's the difference between fishing here and the oceanside piers in Morehead?

Radio Island Beach is soundside, so the water is calmer, shallower, and holds different fish. The oceanside piers (like Morehead City Fishing Pier) are deeper and hold larger species like king mackerel and Spanish mackerel. Radio Island is better for learning to sight-fish and for catching mullet and flounder in shallow water.

Can I bring my kids here?

Yes. The pier is short and safe, and the shallow water is good for teaching kids to fish. Spot are easy to catch and fun for beginners. There are no amenities, so bring snacks and water. Supervise children on the pier at all times.